Roads Maintenance

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Ceisteanna (631)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

631. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the request made by the Committee of Public Accounts on 21 January 2016 which outlined concerns that up to 300,000 tonnes may have been disposed of illegally in County Meath with regard to the upgrade of the R158 Trim to Summerhill to Kilcock Road; if Meath County Council has been forthcoming with all the necessary information; if the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has fulfilled its duties to the public purse; and if there is a need for an investigation into the upgrade contracts and the disposal of the waste and surplus materials. [19172/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.

Regarding the realignment of the R158 regional road by Meath County Council and the alleged illegal dumping of material from that scheme, the key legislative code in combating illegal dumping is the Waste Management Act 1996 (as amended). In particular section 32 of the 1996 Act places the responsibility on the holders of waste to ensure that it is managed in a manner that does not cause environmental pollution. Enforcement of waste legislation, for which my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment is responsible, including action against illegal activity, is a matter for local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

I understand that Meath County Council submitted a report on alleged unauthorised dumping adjacent to the R158 to the EPA on the 10th July 2014. As the Statutory Agency with responsibility for enforcement of waste legislation the EPA is the appropriate agency for adjudicating on and pursuing such cases.